Indian Antiquary Vol 52

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Stephen Meredyth Edwardes, Krishnaswami Aiyangar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 533

JUNE, 1923)
THE SCATTERGOODS AND THE EAST INDIA COMPANY
again at Masulipatam whore he playod an important part during the visit of the King of Golconda to the factory and its neighbourhood. The Masulipatam Diary gives the story in detail.90 10th December 1678. "The King's Minister Shaw Raza 100 attended divine service at
Masulipatam to see the manner of our religion and worship" (when John Scat.
tergood was no doubt present]. 16th December 1678. "This morning the King tooke Boat at the Banksall101 to go
to Diu (Divi) attended upon by Mr. John Field, Mr. George Everard and Mr. John
Scattergood." MR. JOHN FIELDS DIARY (AND] OBSERVATIONS DURING HIS ATTENDANCE UPON
THE KING AT Diu.103 Monday, 16th December 1678. “This afternoon the King pitch'd his Tent on the
Island of Divu 108 and at night tooke his pastime on the water in our Boat returning
to his Tent about 10 a Clock." 17th December 1678. "About 7 a Clock this morning the King sett out for Gunting104
and being gone a little way return'd, passing by our Tent and calling for the Dubass,106 but he not being present the King spoke to another, desiring wee would goe with him ; which wee immediately did. In the way his Majestie tooke great delight in seeing severall flights of the Hawks, and after wee had travell’d about 14 or 15 Miles, mett with severall wild Cowes which were Chased, Eight of them killed and one Calf taken by the Kings Persian Dogs. Some time after night Wee attended hina to his Tent, and presently he asked for our Boat, but she not being near, tooke the Dutch Boat. After his return our Dubags who went with him, complained of our Boat not being ready to receive the King, upon which John Field checked the Tandell 106 thereof, and ordered him immediately to goe and lye close by the Dutch Boat before the Kings Tent, that thereby shee might be ready for his Majestie in the morning if he pleased to go on her, which the Dutch Seamen there on their Sloop seeing him about to doe, laid their sloop and Boat athwart that ours might not come neare, beat our people and tore our awning, making a great noise to the distur bance of the King. This caused John Field to desire Mr. Everard and Mr. Seymour, 17 himself being lame by a hurt in the Boate and they speaking the Language, to goo see what was the matter and make all quiet. By that tyme they came there, the King sent out his servants to enquire the Occasion of that Noise,
which Mr. Everard declared to them, telling them all that wee desired was to * Factory Records, Masulipatam, vol. II.
100 The king was Abu'l Hagen ShAh, the last of the Qutb Shahi Kings of Goloón da "Shaw Roma" les corruption of Sharzah Khan, one of Abd'l san's nobles, a military commander. See T. W. Haig Aliatoric Landmarks of the Decogn, pp. 189, 192 I.n. for mentions of this individual.
101 The Company's warehouse at the wharf where the harbour dues were collected. See Hebron Jobpon, & v. Rankaall.
103 John Field was at this time Second of the Factory at Masulipatam, and John Scattergood accom. panied him with other of the Company's servants and freemen.
109 Divi Island, then some 15 miles from the mainland. It is no longer an island, but gives its name to Point Divi.
104 I cannot identify this place. It can hardly be Gantdr in Gantar tdluk, near Menalipátam. 105 Debdahi, interpreter.
106 Tindal (Mal., tapdal), a common Anglo-Indian term for a nativo potty offer ol latoars. In the toxt it is the boatswain who is meant.
107 Froomen roniding at Moulipatam. See Diaries of Streyna am Marter, ed. Templo, 11, 106n., 1000